Hayden, 22, was a third round pick (#74) in the 2013 NHL Draft. He was the captain at Yale this season, where he posted 21 goals and 13 assists in 33 games. Hayden registered 91 points in 127 games in his collegiate career.

34 thoughts on “Blackhawks Sign John Hayden”

Well so much for that Tab. Wonder if he was threatening to hold out or if the Hawks really wanted him for the stretch. He had been playing mostly right wing. Wonder what the roster move is. Kero or Rasmussen be my guess.

Had you paid attention, Ernie, reports all year have been that Hayden has wanted to be a Blackhawk but chose to finish his degree. Bowman has tried to sign him for a couple years now and got it done. Interesting that he’s going to play in the NHL this season and burn a year.

Good news. Ya always worry these days with 4-year college players but good for Hayden for being a man of his word … now let’s hope he can skate well enough to have an NHL career.

Hawks have 14 games left after the victory over the Wild today but there aren’t any gaps between games of more than one day so practice time will be very limited. Q will find a way to get him in there and I look forward to seeing his NHL debut. I wonder what number he’ll wear.

Yes I’ve been paying attention. You and I both thought they’d wait to sign hayden. Did we misread their MO? Or do they think this could put them over the top? They did do this with Paliotta, for the jack squat that means.

My guess is that signing him right away and giving him a game or two so he can burn the first year was the accommodation the Hawks made so Hayden wouldn’t wait until August and try the market. It’s the price to pay for 4-year college players that have the negotiating power. It’s better to have him signed for what is essentially 1 year and own his RFAs rights than play hardball and watch him sign somewhere else when he would turn free agent in August.

Also – the 23 man roster limit is expanded after the TDL – only concern is fitting his salary into the Cap – so maybe no one has to be sent down.

Burning the first year was clearly the incentive to get him signed now and a great opportunity for Hayden. My recollection is that his skating is not elite so I wouldn’t be surprised if he starts on the wing.

Fair enough. Agree with others that they were at least worried about him bolting. I thought Hayden would have been the one that would want to finish the year as far as school goes.

I think he’s as much a center as Schmaltz is/was. Hayden had a 37.7 faceoff%. He led the country in shots on goal per game. Kero 3c, Kruger 4c, Hayden 4Rw. We’ll see what the smart guys come up with though.

Can we really expect any team (Vegas or ?) to take Kruger off our hands unless we throw in a top prospect. He has been a good and loyal soldier but for what he delivers that contract seems just too rich.

I dont know the kid but let say ..its quite Rare that a kid has a big impact when they arrive in NHL …IQ will do is best to fit the kid on the team but he also know that the kid is probably not ready for NHL Speed and Skill….they will give him a try …i think he will do nothing……..hope i am wrong ….we have a good team now so dont force things to much with the Kid…let him grow …

re: smitty – yes, we can expect a team to want a top-tier penalty killing center in his mid-20s who’s great at the dot for $3M. And it wouldn’t shock me at all if he wound up in Vegas. He’s got 2 rings (so far).

Scott Powers saying Sikura may sign. Sounds like he’s going to talk to Stan and see whats best for him. He is questioning whether or not he’s strong enough. He is able to sign a 3 year elc this year so I’d imagine the Hawks are pushing that. Doesnt sound like he’d even consider pulling a Hayes or Vesey.

18-21, 3 year elc
22-23, 2 year elc
24 and older 1 year elc

Kreider had 7 points in 18 playoff right out of college. No regular season games.

If memory serves correct, Roenick came right out of wherever he was playing (it wasn’t college b/c he wasn’t cut out for the schoolwork) and played the end of the season w/ the Hawks and decently in the playoffs. That was a long time ago…. we’ll see how this young man does.

Ernie- any Rumors of Zach Aston-Reese signing with Sikura??? I don’t know how tight they are… but kid is supposed to be a beast on boards- Cycle game…

Anyone know how “tight” they might be???

High-lites of Sikura… kid looks like Kane… stick-handling thru and around the College kids… but doubt if he can skate like Kane to avoid the Big hit in NHL… so a year/two of weights and AHL game speed would most likely help… BUT- he does make the College kids look like Pylons in the Hi-lites